Spalling brick repair for chimney faces in Westwood Lakes
We show you the proposed brick next to the old before any unit is cut out.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Brick trouble you can spot from the yard
- Brick faces flaking or popping off
- Damage worst near the chimney top
- Stains inside beside the chimney
- Mortar gone around a loose brick
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Spalling brick repair choices we talk through
A repellent is no substitute for new brick
Clear water repellents are sometimes offered as a fix for flaking brick. Brick industry guidance says repellents are not recommended in place of removing and replacing brick with spalled faces or cracks through the face shell.
A repellent cannot put back material that has already fallen away, and it cannot close a crack through a unit. We replace the damaged brick first. Once repairs are done, the same guidance suggests waiting to see whether a repellent is needed at all, and we discuss that separately.
Finding loose bricks by touch and sound
Some damaged bricks look intact. A light tap can reveal a hollow face that has separated from the body of the unit. Gentle pressure can show a brick that has lost its grip on the mortar.
We check suspect areas this way during the inspection. Loose units are added to the list even if they look sound. Please leave this check to us, because pressing on a chimney from a ladder or roof is not safe and can bring down loose pieces.
When to think about a water repellent again
Once damaged bricks are replaced and the water source is fixed, it is tempting to seal the chimney straight away. Brick industry guidance suggests waiting several months after repairs, because the repairs themselves often solve the water problem.
If water still gets in after that time, a repellent that lets the masonry breathe can be considered. We discuss it then as a separate item. Waiting also lets the new mortar cure fully before anything is applied over it. Any product chosen then should let the brick release water vapor.
Holding off on cleaners after the work
New mortar needs time to harden before any cleaner touches it. Federal preservation guidance warns against applying acids to dry masonry and notes that new joints are especially vulnerable to damage from cleaning.
If you plan to clean the chimney, wait until we confirm the joints have hardened, and start with plain water and a soft brush. You get a short list of products to avoid while the joints mature, so a well-matched repair is not stained or etched. Ask us before using any product you are unsure about.
The brick replacement items you approve
- Surfaces dampened before setting
- New units toothed into the bond pattern
- Soft-bristle cleanup of mortar smears
- Written record of units replaced
Chimney brick work, questions and answers
Should I pull off loose pieces of brick myself?
No. Pulling on loose pieces can bring down more than you expect, and working on a roof carries real risk. Keep people clear of the area below and tell us what you have seen.
Is spalled brick near the ground treated differently?
Brick near the ground can stay wet from the soil or from water splashing back. Brick industry guidance lists rising damp among possible causes of masonry distress. We look at drainage and plantings at the base as well as the brick itself.
Can one cracked brick wait, or should it be replaced now?
A single hairline crack in an otherwise firm brick may be watched. A crack through the face, a loose unit or a face that is coming away should be replaced, because water can keep entering there. We explain which applies.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Chimney RebuildRebuild the affected chimney section with the retained structure, roof connection and passage included in the plan.
- Chimney TuckpointingRenew deteriorated mortar joints around chimney bricks that can appropriately remain.
- Wood-Burning Fireplace Insert InstallationFit a wood-burning insert after assessing its host fireplace and full connection requirements.
- Prefab and Zero-Clearance Fireplace RepairIdentify and repair manufactured fireplace components using the appropriate model information.
- Chimney Crown RepairRepair the damaged chimney top with an approach matched to the crown and supporting masonry.
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Local service. Careful repairs. A fireplace worth coming home to.
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Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo